Help me, I have an unwanted pregnancy, what can I do?

If you live in a country where it is permitted to have abortion safe and legally. Please go to http://www.womenonwaves.org/en/map/country and you can click on your country to find clinics If you live in a country where there is no access to safe and legal abortion. Please go…
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What is a medical abortion?

A medical abortion uses a medicine or a combination of tablets to cause the non-surgical termination of an early pregnancy up until the 12th week of pregnancy. The safest, most effective type of medical abortion requires the use of two different pills. These medicines, called Mifepristone and…
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Is it difficult to use Misoprostol by yourself?

No. You can take Misoprostol on your own. Using Misoprostol is no more complicated than using other medications. This website has clear instructions about how to use the drugs, what to expect, and when to go to a doctor. If you have questions about any step of the process, you can contact the…
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How to use misoprostol (cytotec) to cause an abortion?

You will need 12 pills of misoprostol, 200 micrograms (mcg) each. To cause an abortion:
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How can I get Misoprostol?

Instead of using Misoprostol alone it is much more effective (99%) to do a medical abortion with the use of a combination of Mifepriston and Misoprostol, these are available throug Women on Web (go to www.womenonweb.org and do the online consultation) However is some countries Misoprostol is…
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I cannot get Misoprostol. Could you please send them to me?

If you live in a country where there is no access to safe and legal abortion you can either: 1- Go to www.womenonweb.org, a on-line medical abortion referral service that provides help for women living where access is restricted. 2- If you live close to a country where abortion is permitted
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Can Misoprostol be used if you have Chlamydia?

An infection with Chlamydia is one of the main causes of infertility and must be treated either before or during the use of Misoprostol. If it is not this can really increase the risk of infection for the woman using Misoprostol. A treatment for Chlamydia consists of taking doxycycline 100 mg 2…
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What is Methotrexate?

Methotrexate can be used to induce an abortion in combination with Misoprostol till 7 weeks (after 3 to 7 days you should take 4 tablets of 200 mcg Misoprostol under the tongue). However, Mifepriston (the abortion pill) is more effective, less toxic and has much less side effects than Methotrexate.
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Si può indurre un aborto usando Provera (progesterone)?

How do you know if you are pregnant and how long you have been pregnant for?

Most women determine that they are pregnant if they are sexually active and have missed a period. Nausea, breast soreness, and fatigue are also common symptoms in early pregnancy. Ultrasound or pregnancy tests are the only ways to immediately be sure that a woman is pregnant. You can do a…
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How many weeks into your pregnancy can you do a medical abortion?

You can do a medical abortion at home until the 12th week of your pregnancy.
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I've been pregnant for more than 12 weeks. Can I still use Misoprostol?

Misoprostol still works after 12 weeks of pregnancy but the chance of complications rapidly increases the more advanced the pregnancy is. 4% to 8% of women with second trimester pregnancies (after 12 weeks of pregnancy), who try to end their pregnancies with Misoprostol as described below, will…
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I am 20 weeks pregnant; can I use Misoprostol?

Misoprostol should never be used after 20 weeks pregnancy. The fetus is able to live outside the woman’s womb from 20 weeks on. After this period the use of Misoprostol can result in the birth of a living baby and the risk of complications is multiplied. You are strongly discouraged to do an…
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What if you are not pregnant but take the medicines anyway?

Your health will not be harmed if you are not pregnant but take the medicines anyway. However, you may still experience the common side effects of the medicines, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or a low fever for up to 24 hours.
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What if you have a RH - bloodtype?

Usually doctors advice women who have an (surgical) abortion or miscariage or delivery to take an injection with anti D globuline. The reason is that if the fetus has a positive bloodtype and if there is an exchange in blood the woman can make antibodies in her blood that can affect the next born…
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When you should not do a medical abortion?

You should not use the medicines if: someone is forcing you to end your pregnancy. you are not sure about wanting to end your pregnancy. the first day of your last menstrual period was more than 12 weeks ago. you have an allergy to Misoprostol or prostaglandins you have one of the following…
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What is a contraindication and how do you know if you have one?

Contraindications are conditions or situations might keep you from being able to safely use Mifepristone-Misoprostol. These are generally things that you will already know about yourself. Screening you for these contraindications on the internet is very similar to the screening process at a face
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What is an ectopic pregnancy and how do you know you have one?

An ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy that grows outside the womb, usually in a fallopian tube. It is a life threatening situation because if the pregnancy grows too large it can cause the tube burst. This must always be treated with an operation or medicines. A medical abortion does not effect a…
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Can I have an abortion if I have an IUD?

An IUD is a contraceptive, a small coil of about 3 cm inserted by a doctor into the womb to prevent pregnancy. If you have an intrauterine device (IUD), it is advised to have it removed before using the medicines. When the doctor does not want to take it out, you can do a medical abortion anyway
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Why shouldn't you be alone when you do a medical abortion and what if you do it alone anyway?

You are strongly advised to use the medicines in the presence of someone you trust. However, if you choose to do the medical abortion alone, it is not necessarily hazardous. Make sure you are near a phone or some way of contacting medical professionals. You should consider telling someone (a…
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Why should you be within 60 minutes of a hospital or first aid centre when you do the abortion?

It is absolutely necessary to be within one hour of help, in case you lose too much blood. This is also the case when a woman miscarries or gives birth. It is not necessary for you to live in an urban area to do a medical abortion. Almost all areas with internet access will also have a basic…
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Can (homeopathic) medication that decreases menstrual pain be used with Misoprostol?

Because some of these medications might counter the contractions of the womb / uterus, which reduces the effectiveness of Misoprostol, we advise women to use general painkillers. NSAID's lije Ibuprofen, Diclofenac and naproxen are the most effective painkiller against cramps. If you cannot…
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How should you use Misoprostol (cytotec)?

You will need 12 pills of misoprostol, 200 micrograms (mcg) each. To cause an abortion, put 4 pills of of 200 micrograms (in total 800 mcg) Misoprostol under your tongue for 30 minutes. Do not swallow the pills (at least until 30 minutes after putting the tablets under the tongue!!) After 3 hours…
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Can you use Misoprostol if you are still breastfeeding?

It is better not to breastfeed during the first 5 hours after taking Misoprostol. It is best to throw away the milk produced in the first 5 hours.
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Is it safe to have a medical abortion if you've already had one in the past?

Women are fertile for about 40 years. Some women need more than one abortion because for example contraception fails or some women cannot choose when to have sexual relations, or because contraception or information about it is inaccessible. 66 Having a safe abortion, or more than one safe…
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Can I take part of the Misoprostol/Cytotec orally and part vaginally. Is this effective?

We strongly advice women to use Misoprostol under the tongue (dissolve under the tongue for 30 minutes and only swallow the pills after that). In this way, no remains of the pills can be found in the event that she may need to go to a hospital. She should not swallow it because this is much less…
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Can you eat or drink while you are taking the medicines?

You should not drink any alcohol or use drugs, as it can affect your judgment. You can eat food and drink liquids as you normally would. However, as some women experience nausea from the misoprostol, you may want to eat lightly.
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When will you start bleeding and how long will it last?

After using Misoprostol you should expect bleeding and cramps. Bleeding usually starts within four hours of using the first set of pills, but it sometimes starts later. For some women, the bleeding and cramping and also other side effects like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, and…
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Can you go to work while doing the abortion? For how long must you rest before returning to work?

It is best to take Misoprostol on the weekends or when you can rest for a bit. The bleeding usually starts 3-5 hours after the first dose. Bleeding should be heavy and during this heavy bleeding cramps may occur, for this reason it is not recommended that you go to work during treatment. As soon as…
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I took the first dose of Misoprostol and started bleeding. Should I take the next doses?

Yes, you must take the next doses, despite the blood loss. Scientific research has proven that the advised dose increases the effectiveness of the treatment and reduces the number of incomplete abortions (i.e. tissue remains in the uterus), which means that no follow-up treatment is necessary. If…
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Can you see the products of the abortion (placenta, embryo, blood) and what should you do with them?

Most of the time women can see blood and tissue in their sanitary napkin or in the toilet. The (very small) embryo is usually passed within this blood and tissue in such a way that it goes unnoticed by the woman. However, it is possible that you might see the (very small) embryo. Depending on the…
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What are the side effects of Misoprostol?

The medical abortion normally causes side effects such as pain and cramping, as well as bleeding accompanied by the passage of blood clots and tissue. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, and hot flashes or fever may also occur. A fever that starts soon after Misoprostol administration…
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I've used Misoprostol a few days ago and I'm still in a lot of pain. Is this normal?

If the treatment was successful, you should no longer have any pain, just blood loss. A lot of pain after a few days could mean that the uterus is not completely empty, the abortion is incomplete, and there is a problem. The only way to check this is to get an ultrasound. It is very important that…
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I've used Misoprostol but the pregnancy test is still positive. What should I do?

Sometimes, pregnancy test are still positive 3 or 4 weeks after the abortion, because the hormones are still in the blood. The only way to make sure whether you are still pregnant or not is to have an ultrasound. If that is not possible, we advise you to repeat the pregnancy test after one or two…
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What is a complete, successful abortion and how do you know you've had one?

A complete abortion means that the body has expelled all the products of pregnancy (blood, tissue, embryo) and there is no need for surgery (vacuum aspiration) afterwards. The only way to make sure that you've had a complete abortion is to have an ultrasound 10 days or a negative pregnancy test…
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How do you know if you have complications and what should you do?

If performed in the first 10 weeks, a medical abortion carries a very small risk of complications, as she is prepared on it, while women can have a miscarriage everywhere like working in the field!. This risk is even less as when a woman has a miscarriage. A doctor can easily treat these problems.
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How do you know if you have a post-abortion infection?

Infections following medical abortions are very rare. If you feel weakness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever that lasts more than 24 hours or is higher than 100.4 F/ 38 C, pain in your belly, if your belly feels sore or tender, if you bleed a lot or for a long time, or if you have vaginal…
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How do you know if you have an incomplete abortion?

An incomplete abortion is an abortion that has only been partially successful. The pregnancy has ended— no fetus will develop, but your body has only expelled part of the tissue and products of pregnancy. If you have prolonged bleeding, too much bleeding (much more than a regular menstrual period…
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What is a curettage/vacuum aspiration and is it necessary after medical abortion?

Vacuum aspiration (MVA)is a surgical intervention to remove the contents of the uterus. Sometimes this treatment is necessary if there are complications after medical abortion or spontaneous miscarriage. However in some countries doctors are accustomed to performing a curettage even though it…
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Do you need to have an ultrasound after doing a medical abortion?

If you do not have symptoms of a complication, it is not necessary to have an ultrasound after a medical abortion. By having an ultrasound you can determine whether the pregnancy has ended even a few days after the abortion, especially if you are unsure whether the abortion was successful. You can…
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Do you require psychological counseling after you have had an abortion?

Most women do not need any psychological help after an abortion. Feelings of regret after abortion are rare. Indeed, the most common emotional response after abortion is relief. Transient feelings of guilt, sadness, or loss are common but most women can overcome negative feelings that might affect…
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How long will it take before Misoprostol will have effect and for how long will symptoms (bellyache, nausea, blood loss etc.) last?

In most cases Misoprostol will have an effect within 4 hours and you will start getting cramps and bleeding. The symptoms (pain, blood loss, nausea, diarroea, etc.) can last for up to 12 hours but should diminish when the abortion is complete.
(see for complete instructions www.womenonwaves.org…
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I used Misoprostol, there was some blood loss but not that much, has the abortion been successful?

It is very difficult to determine whether an abortion has been successful and complete. The only way to make sure is to have an ultrasound. You could tell the doctor that you think you had a miscarriage. You could also take a pregnancy test after 3 weeks.
Should you still be pregnant, then you…
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I used Misoprostol; bleeding is like during menstruation. Should I go to the hospital?

You do not have to go to a hospital, but you should get an ultrasound or do a pregnancy test after 3 weeks to make sure the abortion was successfull.
You could say that you think you had a miscarriage. (If you used the tablets vaginally, you first have to check carefully with your fingers deep…
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Is a medical abortion dangerous?

Medical abortions performed in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy have a very low risk of complications. This risk is the same as when a woman has a natural miscarriage. These problems can easily be treated by a doctor. Out of of every 100 women that do medical abortions, 2 or 3 women have to go to a…
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Will you be able to get pregnant and have children after a medical abortion?

A medical abortion does not affect your ability to conceive or bear a child in the future. In fact, if you do not want to become pregnant at this time, it is important to start using contraceptives as soon as you start having sexual relations again.
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When can you get pregnant again after having a medical abortion?

Although it may be several weeks after your abortion before you get your menstruation again, you could ovulate in the first week or two after your abortion, which means you could get pregnant right away. If you do not want to become pregnant right away, it is very important to start using…
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Where can I buy the abortion pill (RU 486, mifepristone, mifeprex, mifegyne, Zacafemyl)?

RU 486 (the abortion pill, Mifepristone, Mifegyne, Mifeprex, Zacafemyl)) is registered in some countries, (see map) but cannot be bought at a pharmacy or drug store with the exception of India, China, Nepal and Bangladesh

If you live in a country where there is no access to safe and legal…
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I've tried Misoprostol but had no or very little blood loss. Did the treatment work?

If you still do not bleed and you are positive that you were pregnant, then you either have an ectopic pregnancy or a continuing pregnancy. You should have an ultrasound. You could tell the doctor that you think you had a miscarriage. If you experience complications such as fever, faintness, or…
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